Lockheed Martin Distribution Technologies

The project objective was to design and implement a simulation model of a mail distribution system that communicated with the system’s hardware controller. Lockheed Martin Distribution Technologies (LMDT) sought to determine the feasibility of bridging this connection between a simulation and the hardware controller and producing an accurate simulation with real-time control. LMDT is ultimately interested in applying the connectivity methods described in this report to simulate, test, and develop future distribution products. The Capstone team considered four main options to obtain the desired connectivity. After careful examination of each alternative, the team decided to use MCM functions in AutoMod to send TCP/IP data from the simulation model through a terminal concentrator to convert the data to RS-232 format, enabling the system controller to receive the information. As a first application of this simulation communication method, the team used the Desktop Tray Tagging System (DTTS), a mail distribution product manufactured by LMDT. Using MCM to connect the DTTS simulation to its system controller proved to be infeasible. Although the theory behind this connection method is sound, limitations in AutoMod’s MCM functionality prevented the final step of connection between the simulation and the system controller. This paper outlines the steps taken to come to this conclusion, and recommends additional routes LMDT may want to explore in the future